|
2004/04/16, 11:54 AM
I don't have anyone to go with the gym with me for a spotter when I would do squats with the bar. But there is a machine that I tried last week for squats. You set the weight, then you're standing and bring some pads down to your shoulder.. then you have a release button and squat and can go to how far down you want and come back up. I bet the bar works better for you.. but is this machine just as effective? I didn't feel that sore the next day after I did them, maybe not enough weight that I had on there?
|
|
|
|
2004/04/16, 03:10 PM
Free weights are the best, as all the Supporting muscles need to be engaged to help you. If you don't have a spot, and don't feel comfortable with doing it with the bar alone, you can always grab some Dumbbells and do squats, or jump on the Smith Machine.
|
|
2004/04/17, 12:47 AM
yeah, but while most people will say that free weights are usually (if not always) the best choice, i look at it as a matter of preference... i myself prefer free weights, and seldom use machines, but i'm sure machines are just as effective, specially since a lot of teh machines i've seen aid you in mantaining proper form...
--------------
8.1 o_O
http://www.hotornot.com/r/?eid=GEKZGLA&key=RLE
|
|
2004/04/17, 03:53 AM
When I was in college I took a health class that allowed you to do two different health modalities during the course of the semester (swimming, wieghts, aerobics, etc.) I chose wieghts and swimming. The reason this applies is that during wieghts they allowed you to choos a purely machine route or a more traditional free wieght route. Prior to the beginning of the eight week session each group maxed out on the bench machine and then again after the eight weeks. The total increase in maximum one time reps by the free wieght group on the machine was dramatically higher than that of the machine group. Now take it this wasn't the most scientific approach and certainly it wasn't published, but it did convince me that when possible the use of free wieghts is a better option. That being said it isn't always feasible or safe and you have to make those choices for yourself, but there it is. :cool:
Daniel
|
|
2004/04/17, 08:32 AM
You won't uzse as many stabilizers, yes. But I really like the supersquat machine, it allows you to go lower, more comfortably and heavier without a spotter. use it every other workout and look around and ask some one who is inbetween sets to spot you on other days. most people really don't mind giving you a spot, especially since they may need the favor returned sometime.
--------------
If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
|
|
2004/04/18, 01:10 AM
I do squats with out spotter, for one I don't trust no one spotting me when I have 400lb draped across my back at my gym. Thing to reameber there are safty bars for a reason, if you get stuck drop down, thats why they are there. 2nd go a lil lighter do more reps than weight. I go prety heavy, more so than most people , but i know what i can do and can't reamember that!
--------------
.......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records!
......minds are not vessles to be filled, but fires to be enlightened
......Confucious once said ,DO NOT play leap frog with a unicorn
|
|
2004/04/18, 02:16 PM
I get knee pains from squats, am i doing something wrong?
|
|
2004/04/19, 03:34 PM
Also if its a smith machine......it is conter balanced to give you a "lil spot" most bars on a smith weigh only 15 or 20 lbs, its makes it smoother, and you don't use all the stablizing muscles like regular squats. For girls this is ok cause you don't want a bulky mid section. Plu you can play with your feet more, you can split them apart, put them out front more, lunge, split, squat jumps, toe squats......all these are hard to do on a bar and some are even dangerous.
--------------
.......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records!
......minds are not vessles to be filled, but fires to be enlightened
......Confucious once said ,DO NOT play leap frog with a unicorn
|
|
2004/04/19, 03:36 PM
============
Quoting from Hellscream:
I get knee pains from squats, am i doing something wrong?
=============
Are your toes over your knees, your toes and kees and chest should be inline when you squat......
are you leaning foward? Look up when you squat, this keeps your back straight, and chest up.
When you squat you should bend at the hips first, very few people can squat with there chest and back perpinduclar to the floor. However i'm not saying bend to wher eyou back is parallel to the floor either. You should bend no more than 20 or 30 degrees at the hips when you squat.
If you still have trouble let me know.
--------------
.......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records!
......minds are not vessles to be filled, but fires to be enlightened
......Confucious once said ,DO NOT play leap frog with a unicorn
|
|
2004/04/20, 08:44 AM
Hellscream - imagine someone is going to steal your chair and you have to reach back with your butt to get it. Forward lean towards you knees instead of sitting back into the squat is what will make your knees sore (barring any other knee issues). Take Andrew's dvice to line your body up. Your knees should go over the spcae inbetween your big and second toe, you can lean forward a little, look at a spot directly in front of you to keep your head up/chest lifted.
Try backing off on the weight you are squatting and going for form. If you progress your weights too quickly, you will experience joint/ligament pain because they haven't had tiem to adapt to the workload.
--------------
If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
|
|
2004/04/20, 09:48 AM
it all depends on you. If you are just starting out then I would recommend using the smith machine. The difference in the two is that when using free weights you incorporate more muscles because along with the exercise there is a balancing aspect also.
|
